Method for producing a magnetic coil for a valve and valve with a magnetic coil

ABSTRACT

The method according to the present invention for manufacturing a magnet coil for a valve is characterized in that first a metal base element ( 2 ) of the valve is made available, then an electrically insulating winding support ( 50 ) is mounted on the outer wall of the base element ( 2 ), and lastly a winding ( 4 ) of the magnet coil ( 1 ) is introduced into the winding support ( 50 ).  
     Such a configuration of a magnet coil is suitable particularly in fuel injection valves which are used in mixture-compressing, spark-ignited internal combustion engines, but also in all other solenoid valves.

[0001] The invention is based on a method for manufacturing a magnet coil for a valve, according to the species defined in claim 1, and on a valve having a magnet coil, according to the species defined in claim 9.

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,080 has already disclosed an electromagnetically actuatable valve which has an electromagnetic circuit comprising inter alia a magnet coil, the energization of which allows a valve member to be actuated to open or close the valve. The magnet coil is configured in such a way that a coil body made of plastic, constituting a supporting and protective element, receives a wrapping which is executed with known coil wire. The prefabricated assembly of coil body and wrapping is mounted in the valve in such a way that an inner valve tube serving as the internal pole engages into the inner opening of the coil body, so that the magnet coil fits completely around the internal pole in the circumferential direction. The coil body is attached onto the inner valve tube with the aid of sealing rings.

[0003] It is also known, from previously published documents European Patent 0 513 037, GB Published Application 2,212,982, and German Patent Utility Model 295 14 315, to prefabricate magnet coil subassemblies for electromagnetically actuatable valves which have a valve body and an embedded wrapping. These prefabricated subassemblies are mounted on an inner valve component of the magnetic circuit in consistently similar fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The method according to the present invention for manufacturing a magnet coil for a valve, having the characterizing features of claim 1, has the advantage that valves with smaller dimensions and a compact design can easily be manufactured. Advantageously, direct attachment of a winding support onto an inner base element (inner valve tube, internal pole) of the valve saves installation space, since the radial wall thicknesses of the winding support can be made very thin. Overall, therefore, valves with smaller outside diameters can be achieved. A separate assembly device for mounting the coil wire on a coil body to form an independent subassembly can be omitted, since the winding can be introduced into the winding support already provided on the base element, thus achieving a cost reduction.

[0005] The features set forth in the dependent claims make possible advantageous developments of and improvements to the method indicated in claim 1.

[0006] Advantageously, annular coil spaces are created directly on the base element or on the injected-on winding support, and have axial winding delimiters which prevent axial spreading or slippage of the winding.

[0007] The valve according to the present invention, having the characterizing features of claim 9, has the advantage of a very small and compact design, so that a reduced installation space is required when such a valve is used, for example in an internal combustion engine. The thin-walled configuration of the winding support allows materials to be economized. The decrease in the dimensions of the valve is also accompanied by a reduction in mass.

[0008] The features set forth in the dependent claims make possible advantageous developments of and improvements to the method indicated in claim 9.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are depicted in simplified fashion in the drawings, and are explained in more detail in the description below.

[0010]FIG. 1 shows a valve having a magnet coil arrangement manufactured according to the present invention,

[0011]FIGS. 2a and 2 b show a first example for mounting a magnet coil on an internal valve component, and

[0012]FIGS. 3a and 3 b show a second example for mounting a magnet coil on an internal valve component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The valve according to the present invention, or the valve manufactured according to the present invention, that is depicted in FIG. 1 in partially simplified form as an example, in the form of an electromagnetically actuatable injection valve for fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing, spark-ignited internal combustion engines, has a one-piece, largely tubular, metal base element 2 surrounded by a magnet coil 1, representing an inner valve tube, and serving as the internal pole of the magnetic circuit, as a fuel inlet and passthrough, and as a valve seat support. This valve is described as an example of magnetic valves which, in their most varied designs, can have magnet coils 1 according to the present invention. Base element 2 has multiple steps, and is stepped radially upstream from magnet coil 1, so that with a cover section 3 base element 2 partially radially envelops magnet coil 1, and allows a particularly compact configuration for the injection valve in the region of magnet coil 1. Magnet coil 1 is surrounded by an external sleeve-shaped, for example ferromagnetic valve shell 5 serving as external pole, which completely surrounds magnet coil 1 in the circumferential direction and at its upper end is joined immovably to base element 2 at its cover section 3, for example via a weld bead 6. To close the magnetic circuit, base element 2 is also of stepped configuration downstream from magnet coil 1, thus forming a guide section 8 which, like cover section 3, axially delimits magnet coil 1, guide section 8 constituting the delimitation of magnet coil 1 downward or in the downstream direction. Cover section 3, guide section 8, and the elongated inner part of base element 2 delimit an annular, chamber-like coil space 9 in which the actual winding 4 of magnet coil 1 is introduced. Valve shell 5 closes off coil space 9 externally.

[0014] Base element 2 possesses an internal longitudinal opening 11, running concentrically with a longitudinal valve axis 10, which serves in an upstream region 11 a as a fuel flow conduit, and additionally in a downstream region 11 b at least partially as a guide opening for a valve needle 12 that is axially movable along longitudinal valve axis 10. Region 11 b has a greater diameter than region 11 a, since a recessed step 13 is provided in longitudinal opening 11 in the axial extension region of magnet coil 1. Immediately downstream from recessed step 13, base element 2 possesses on the periphery a thin-walled magnetic throttling point 16 which is surrounded by magnet coil 1.

[0015] Downstream, for example, from guide section 8, base element 2 functions as a valve seat support, since a valve seat element 14, which has an immovable valve seat surface 15 constituting a valve seat, is introduced at the downstream end of region 11 b of longitudinal opening 11. Valve seat element 14 is joined immovably to base element 2 by way of a weld bead generated, for example, with a laser. Lower region 11 b of longitudinal opening 11 additionally serves to receive valve needle 12, which is constituted by an armature 17 and a spherical valve closure element 18. Arranged at the downstream end face of valve seat element 14, for example in a depression 19, is a flat perforated spray disk 20, the immovable join between valve seat element 14 and perforated spray disk 20 being achieved, for example, via a circumferential weld bead 21. At its downstream end facing perforated spray disk 20, armature 17 serving as the closure element support is immovably joined, for example via a weld bead, to the spherical valve closure element 18.

[0016] Actuation of the injection valve is accomplished, in known fashion, electromagnetically. The electromagnetic circuit, with magnet coil 1, inner base element 2, outer valve shell 5, and armature 17, serves to move valve needle 12 axially and thus to open the injection valve against the spring force of a return spring 25, or to close it. Armature 17 is correspondingly aligned on base element 2. Return spring 25 extends in longitudinal opening 11, for example, both downstream and upstream from recessed step 13, i.e. in both regions 11 a and 11 b.

[0017] The spherical valve closure element 18 coacts with valve seat surface 15 of valve seat element 14, that surface tapering frustoconically in the flow direction and being constituted in the axial direction downstream of a guide opening in valve seat element 14. Perforated spray disk 20 possesses at least one, for example four spray discharge openings 27 shaped by electrodischarge machining or punching.

[0018] The insertion depth of valve seat element 14 in the injection valve is one of the factors determining the stroke of valve needle 12. The one end position of valve needle 12, when magnet coil 1 is not energized, is defined by contact of valve closure element 18 against valve seat surface 15 of valve seat element 14, while the other end position of valve needle 12, when magnet coil 1 is energized, results from contact of armature 17 against recessed step 13 of base element 2. The stroke length is adjusted, for example, by axial displacement of valve seat element 14, which is then immovably joined to base element 2 in accordance with the desired position.

[0019] In addition to return spring 25, an adjusting sleeve 29 is slid into upper region 11 a of longitudinal opening 11. Adjusting sleeve 29 is used to adjust the spring preload of return spring 25, which is in contact against adjusting sleeve 29 and at its opposite end braces against a bottom region 30 of an internal depression 31 in closure element support 17, an adjustment of the dynamic spray discharge volume also being accomplished with adjusting sleeve 29.

[0020] Armature 17 has, for example in the axial extension region of magnetic throttling point 16 on the outer circumference, an annular upper guide surface 32 which serves to guide the axially movable valve needle 12 in longitudinal opening 11. Armature 17 has an upper stop surface 33, facing recessed step 13, which is equipped with a wear-protection layer, e.g. is chrome-plated. Proceeding from bottom region 30 of depression 31, a through opening 34 which extends as far as valve closure element 18 is shaped in closure element support 17. In the vicinity of valve closure element 18, several branch openings 35 branch off from through opening 34 and extend to the external boundary of closure element support 17. This configuration of closure element support 17 makes it possible for the fuel being delivered to valve seat surface 15 to flow unimpeded through depression 31 and through opening 34 as well as branch openings 35. Branch openings 35 can be configured in any desired form (e.g. with circular, elliptical, or polygonal cross sections), and can extend radially or obliquely.

[0021] A valve having the design described above is characterized by its particularly compact configuration, resulting in a very small, manageable component whose valve shell 5 has, for example, an outside diameter of only approximately 11 to 14 mm. The components described so far constitute a preassembled independent assembly which can be referred to as functional part 40. The completely adjusted and assembled functional part 40 has, for example, an upper end surface 42 (in this case cover section 3) beyond which, for example, two contact pins 43 project. By way of electrical contact pins 43, which serve as electrical connecting elements, winding 4 of magnet coil 1 is electrically contacted and thus energized.

[0022] A functional part 40 of this kind can be joined to a connector part (not depicted) which is characterized above all in that it includes the electrical and hydraulic connections for the entire injection valve. A hydraulic connection of the connector part (not depicted) and functional part 40 is achieved, when the injection valve is completely assembled, in that flow bores of the two assemblies are brought toward one another in such a way as to ensure an unimpeded flow of fuel. End surface 42 of functional part 40 then rests, for example, directly against a lower end surface of the connector part, and is immovably joined thereto. During assembly of the connector part onto functional part 40, a base element fitting 45 of base element 2 projecting beyond end surface 42 and thus beyond cover section 3 can extend into a flow bore of the connector part in order to enhance connection stability. A sealing ring 46 which surrounds base element fitting 45 and rests on end surface 42 of cover section 3 is, for example, provided in the connecting region for reliable sealing. In the completely assembled valve, contact pins 43, serving as electrical connecting elements, enter into a secure electrical connection with corresponding electrical connecting elements of the connector part.

[0023] The subsequent Figures depict base element 2 completely or partially in the region of magnet coil 1 in order to illustrate the configuration according to the present invention of magnet coil 1. FIGS. 2a and 2 b show base element 2 that is already known from FIG. 1, on the one hand before and on the other hand after the introduction of winding 4 of magnet coil 1. With the configuration of magnet coil 1 according to the present invention, winding 4 is executed not, as in the case of known valves, on a coil body which is assembled together with the wrapping as a prefabricated assembly, but rather on a winding support 50, already provided on base element 2 or on the internal pole or inner valve tube, which, for example, adhesively lines coil space 9 along the wall of base element 2 as a thin coating 50 a. Thin layer 50 a adheres to the surface of base element 2 and thereby also, for example, completely fills up an annular groove 51 of coil space 9 necessary to constitute magnetic throttling point 16. Thin coating 50 a made of plastic provides electrical insulation of winding 4, subsequently to be introduced into coil space 9, with respect to base element 2. Coating 50 a in coil space 9 is applied, for example, by vacuum evaporation, spraying, powder coating, painting, or other coating methods.

[0024] As FIG. 2b shows, winding 4 of magnet coil 1 is introduced only after winding support 50 has been mounted on base element 2. This is done by winding a coil wire onto the coated coil space 9; cover section 3 and guide section 8, which are also equipped with coating 50 a, advantageously serve as winding delimiters which prevent axial spreading or drifting of winding 4.

[0025]FIGS. 3a and 3 b depict a second exemplary embodiment in which an insulating winding support 50 b is again applied in adhesively bonding fashion onto a base element 2 of the valve before the actual winding 4 of magnet coil 1 is introduced.

[0026] Stepped winding support 50 b made of plastic is injection-molded directly onto the, for example, thin-walled tubular base element 2 (inner valve tube, internal pole) of the valve. Winding support 50 b has a tubular support section 53 which conforms directly to the wall of base element 2. Two radially oriented collar sections 54, which extend out from support section 53 and are shaped in the same plastic injection-molding process as support section 53, serve as axial delimiters for the later winding 4. Magnetic throttling point 16 is also co-injected, since annular groove 51 on base element 2 is also filled up with plastic. The injection of plastic around the thin-walled throttling point 16 increases mechanical strength in this more-sensitive region. As FIG. 3a shows, contact pins 43 for electrical contacting of magnet coil 1 can be concurrently directly insert-molded into winding support 50 b. Another approach (not depicted) provides for contact pins 43 not to be applied until later, along with winding 4. When winding 4 is introduced, contact must of course be made between the ends of the coil wire and contact pins 43.

[0027] According to FIG. 3b, winding 4 of magnet coil 1 is once again introduced into winding support 50 b only after winding support 50 b has been secured on base element. An assembly having a coil body and winding, which is mounted in complete fashion on base element 2, thus does not exist; instead, winding 4 is provided at a later time. Advantageously, direct injection application of winding support 50 b or application of coating 50 a economizes on installation space, since the radial wall thicknesses of winding support 50 b can be reduced, or coatings 50 a can be made very thin. Mounting of winding support 50 b onto base element 2 with positive engagement is also conceivable. 

1. A method for manufacturing a magnet coil for a valve, comprising the process steps: a) configure an inner metal base element (2) of the valve having an inner longitudinal opening (11); b) mount an electrically insulating winding support (50) on the outer wall of the base element (2); c) introduce a winding (4) of the magnet coil (1) into the winding support (50).
 2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the base element (2) is shaped so as to constitute an annular coil space (9) onto whose walls the winding support (50) is applied as a thin adhesively bonding layer (50 a).
 3. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein application of the layer (50 a) is accomplished by vacuum evaporation, powder coating, painting, or spraying of an electrically insulating material.
 4. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein a plastic is used as the coating material.
 5. The method as defined in one of claims 2 through 4, wherein an annular groove (51), provided out from the coil space (9) to constitute a magnetic throttling point (16) of the base element (2), is also filled up with the layer (50 a).
 6. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein there is injection-molded onto the base element (2), on its outer wall, a winding support (50 b) made of plastic which has a tubular support section (53) out from which are configured two radially extending collar sections (54) which thus delimit an annular coil space (9).
 7. The method as defined in claim 6, wherein an annular groove (51) provided on the base element (2) to constitute a magnetic throttling point (16) is also filled up with the plastic of the winding support (50 b).
 8. The method as defined in claim 6 or 7, wherein contact pins (43) are directly insert-molded into the winding support (50 b).
 9. A valve having a magnet coil which surrounds an inner metal base element (2) featuring an inner longitudinal opening (11), and has an electrically insulating winding support (50) as well as a winding (4), wherein the winding (4) is wound onto the winding support (50) that has already been mounted on the base element (2).
 10. The valve as defined in claim 9, wherein the base element (2) is shaped in such a way that an annular coil space (9) is formed, onto whose walls the winding support (50) is applied as a thin, adhesively bonding layer (50 a).
 11. The valve as defined in claim 10, wherein the layer (50 a) can be applied by vacuum evaporation, powder coating, painting, or spraying of an electrically insulating material.
 12. The method as defined in claim 11, wherein the coating material is a plastic.
 13. The method as defined in one of claims 10 through 12, wherein an annular groove (51), provided out from the coil space (9) to constitute a magnetic throttling point (16) of the base element (2), is also filled up with the layer (50 a).
 14. The method as defined in claim 9, wherein there is injection-molded onto the base element (2), on its outer wall, a winding support (50 b) made of plastic which has a tubular support section (53) out from which are configured two radially extending collar sections (54) which thus delimit an annular coil space (9).
 15. The method as defined in claim 14, wherein an annular groove (51) provided on the base element (2) to constitute a magnetic throttling point (16) is also filled up with the plastic of the winding support (50 b).
 16. The method as defined in claim 14 or 15, wherein contact pins (43) are directly insert-molded into the winding support (50 b). 